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We are back in podcasting action, and to start it off, we bring you some Tales from the Foxhole from the time we’ve been gone. GLewis couldn’t make it so we poked a little fun, Be sure to get your stuff in for the next episode for a chance to be featured on the show.

(Skorge)

Gears of War 2 will be released on November 7th. Here is round up of what to expect:

* graphical upgrades (Wikipedia)
* physics engine improvements (Kotaku video)
* play as a Skorge in multiplayer (dual chainsaw not usable)
* 10 players in multiplayer
* at least 3 multiplayer modes: “Guardian” is essentially a modified version of “Assassination” from the original Gears of War, but allows players to continue fighting after the leader has been killed, but losing the ability to respawn. “Wingman” splits all ten players into five teams of two, where both members of a team play as the same character. “Submission,” formerly known as “Meat Flag,” is a version of capture the flag in which players attempt to “down” an enemy controlled by the game’s AI and move its body to their team’s base to earn points.
* bots will be available in multiplayer
* A new co-op game mode was confirmed during Microsoft’s E3 2008 press conference; called “Horde,” this mode allows up to five players to fight off waves of attacking Locust together. Horde Mode will not feature bot support as in competitive multiplayer, and can be played alone. The Locust attack in waves of multiple enemies which become more difficult as players progress.
* the new Battle Cam allows players to pan around a map as the camera focuses on areas of intense fighting, and the Ghost Cam allows a player to roam freely around a map. A photo mode will also be featured, with each photo taken by a player rated on the amount of action in the shot.
* no plans to bring GoW2 to the PC
* to get an achievement which requires 500 kills with a weapon or 500 headshots, only the first kill or headshot made by a player in a given multplayer match will count towards the achievement.
* new characters introduced in campaign mode
* players will be able to fight the large Brumaks
* dueling chainsaw battles
* us downed enemies as shields
* players who have been injured can crawl as a final desperate attempt at life
* the level of blood and gore will also be increased, for example, when the player is close to death, wherever he moves there will be trails of blood behind him
* more “fatality” moves added
* In Co-op Players can play on different difficulties in the same game
* some of the Xbox Live achievements can be completed through both play in single player and multiplayer mode
* bigger and badder enemies than the Brumak are planned
* you’ll be able to ride and pilot a Brumak
* the collection of COG tags has been expanded to include the collection of story-based items such as personal letters and medical records, and a “war journal” will track which collectibles have been found and where missing ones can be located.
* all grenades can now be used as mines by placing them on walls or floors, and will detonate when approached by enemies
* players can now be knocked over by the concussive force of a nearby detonating grenade
* Amazon will deliver this game to your door the day of release (pre-order the game here)

What do you think of these changes and features? What are you expectations for this game?